Should I still book flights with Rex, 'Australia's most reliable airline'?

The Wagga-based airline Rex will continue to operate their flight routes in and out of regional airports over the five-week voluntary administration period, which they entered on July 30.

"All regional planes are still flying as scheduled," the Rex website said.

But all flights between major cities have been cancelled by the company, which has been known as "Australia's most reliable airline" since 2022.

The future of the airline is unclear, but administrators EY have indicated maintaining regional travel is the priority.

The troubled airline has enough capital to continue operating its fleet of 61 Saab 340 aircrafts which service regional Australia airports, while administrators review the company's situation.

Bookings for flights of up to eleven months in advance can still be made via Rex's website.

"Prepaid ticket holders will continue to have their tickets honoured by the Rex Group on regional routes," a press release from EY said.

The administration process will wrap up in early September, and it is understood regional routes are being prioritised.

However some customers are taking a cautious approach to advanced bookings.

When Temora travel agent Rebecca Hausler heard Rex was in trouble, she recommended to a client that they hold off booking a Rex flight until the airline's future was clearer.

"We're just going to wait and see what happens this week," she said.

"Flight times and everything were better than Qantas ... so we prefer to go with Rex."

Ms Hausler hopes Rex will continue to operate in regional Australia because she believes competition and options are important to clients.

"I hope at least that might just scale back, and operate like they did before, at least have their regional options," she said.

"Even if Qantas doesn't fly a certain day, at least we have a backup, it's good to have the two options."

Qantas is the only other competitor offering flights to and from many regional airports including Wagga and Griffith.

However, a one-way flight from Wagga to Sydney with Qantas is at least $247 compared to $189 with Rex.

At some of the country's smallest airports, including Narrandera-Leeton and Parkes, Rex is the sole airline operator.

Federal minister for transport and regional development Catherine King said the government wants Rex to continue its operations in regional Australia.

"Rex is an important airline for regional and remote communities and Rex's continuation is in the best interests of regional Australians, the travelling public, its workers and the aviation sector," she said.

"The Government will work closely with the administrator to determine a path forward that ensures regional aviation has a strong future in this country."

Rex customers holding tickets for cancelled flights may be able to rebook their flights with Virgin Australia on 13 overlapping routes between major cities.

"Eligible customers will be re-accommodated on Virgin Australia flights as close as practicable to their original time of travel," the EY press release said.

"Holders of affected tickets should not come to the airport until they have rebooked their flights."

In February, Rex was announced as Australia's most reliable airline with a 0.6 per cent flight cancellation rate.